Early the next morning, Mizuki arrived at the flower shop. After arranging the shop's affairs and telling Sakura Haruno to watch the store, he headed for the Hokage Building.
He had arrived so early that, aside from a few busy staff members, there were barely any people in the building. Mizuki knocked on the door to the Third Hokage's office.
"Come in."
Mizuki pushed the door open, stepped forward, and bowed. "Lord Third, I'm here."
"So it's Mizuki. You came quite early." The Third Hokage looked up after setting aside his work.
"You started even earlier and have worked harder than I have. What did you summon me for?"
"There's something I wanted to ask you." The Third Hokage lit his pipe, took a puff, and said, "Do you remember that potion you gave Hayate Gekko and Aoba Yamashiro in the Land of Waves?"
"Yes," Mizuki answered firmly.
"Did some accident happen that I don't know about?"
"You needn't worry. I merely wanted to ask about the progress of your research into that potion," the Third Hokage said amiably.
"There hasn't been much progress in developing a new version, but I did make an unexpected discovery regarding its effects and usage." Hearing that there had been no accident involving the potion, Mizuki relaxed.
"Oh? Tell me the specifics." The Third Hokage seemed quite interested.
"Yes." Mizuki decided to explain the general situation. Naturally, he would not reveal its most fundamental effect—it was simply too shocking, and he did not yet have the strength to ensure he would not invite unforeseen trouble.
"While there has been no significant progress in improving the potion's efficacy, I have figured out what those effects can do. For shinobi on the battlefield, it is an excellent healing medicine and supply item. Generally, as long as